Second KoF installment, decent Saturn port. The 3-character team system is well established. Slightly inferior to Neo Geo version but very playable. An essential Saturn title for versus fighting fans.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
SNK versus fighting game with a three-character team system chosen from a large selection. Published by Acclaim, released in Japan in 1996. Forty-seven fighters organized in thematic teams, power gauge and super system, team, alone and versus modes, fluid 2D visuals. The second entry in the KOF series ported to Saturn with additional modes and characters.
King of Fighters '95, The review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Hand-drawn high-resolution sprites of exceptional finesse: SNK brings fighting pixel art to a peak of refinement. The silky animation and detailed backgrounds overflow with life and character. This graphic virtuosity, sleek and warm, illustrates the peak of hand-drawn 2D.
An anthology of the early King of Fighters, the compilation gathers energetic themes blending rock, funk and jazz, the sonic signature of the SNK studio. Each team has its standout track, from the famous "Esaka" to frenzied saxophones, galvanising the clashes. This retro musical generosity delights fans of nervy fighting.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Building a team of three fighters and pitting them in relay battles: this team-battle system, the saga's signature, gives the duels a unique strategic flavour. The huge roster and the spectacular special moves guarantee non-stop intensity. Snappy, deep and stylish, a 2D versus pillar that hasn't lost a degree of its fever.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Putting together a team of three fighters and managing the order of the rounds adds a tactical layer to the joy of snappy clashes that beg for a rematch. Mastering a guard, unlocking a hidden character and aiming for a clean run keeps the session going. The system has since been refined by its sequels, but the chemistry of the teams keeps a competitive bite fully intact.
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Fielding teams of three fighters from a wide roster opens a replay value rooted in mastery and team composition. Learning every character, fine-tuning your battle order and endlessly facing other players renew the versus. That depth, a King of Fighters hallmark, founds a lifespan brawler fans cultivate.
Technical info
💾0,46 GB📅24/11/1995
Published by SNK
King of Fighters '95, The (Saturn) price, value & rarity
Original Japanese Saturn pressing of The King of Fighters '95, released by SNK in late 1995 on the console's flagship market, shipped with the external ROM cartridge that restores Neo Geo animation fidelity, a hardware dependency unique to this Saturn version. The substantial Japanese installed base makes this pressing the most accessible route to the title, and the original obi plus the actual presence of the expansion cartridge steer SNK enthusiasts toward a clean complete NTSC-J copy, cartridge included.
Better with friends
A three-strong team brawl where you line up your fighters before sending them to the front one by one, in a clear, tense rivalry. The competition plays out in the running order, energy management and comebacks that keep you on edge to the final round. Demanding yet readable, it suits impromptu tournaments among friends where every defeat instantly calls for a rematch.
Is King of Fighters '95, The still worth playing in 2026?
A Saturn adaptation of the famous SNK versus, The King of Fighters 95 offers the three on three formula enriched with customisable team editing and the new Orochi saga that begins. The sublime art direction, technical fluidity and gameplay depth make it an excellent arcade conversion on Saturn. The additional RAM cartridge further improves loading times and faithfulness. For anyone fond of KOF or wishing to discover the start of the Orochi saga, an absolutely essential recommendation today still without hesitation truly indeed here.
